Mizzou Quarterbacks Chase Daniel and Chase Patton on the Cover of ESPN The Magazine

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2008

2008 NBA Fantasy Preview Offers up "Best Bets", "Bust Bets" and Much More

Rick Reilly on Trying to Walk Away From the NFL: Ask John Lynch it's Not Easy

NEW YORK -- "Why is it that some of the greatest college quarterbacks never make it to the pros?" "How is it that some 'so-so' college quarterbacks end up being great pros?" "Only the Name is the Same" by writer Seth Wickersham, in the October 20th issue of ESPN The Magazine, looks at Missouri's quarterbacks and answers questions just like these. The story of Mizzou starter Chase Daniel, who may win the Heisman this year but is regarded as an iffy NFL prospect, and his backup, Chase Patton, who may win a Super Bowl some day, make for the perfect illustration for this conundrum. Daniel's stats scream first-round prospect, but at barely six feet, he worries, "if I get measured at 5'11" I might not even get drafted." Meanwhile Patton is exactly the kind of big, strong-armed prospect that scouts salivate over, even though he has not started a game since high school. One scout says, "O there's no set way to find a quarterback."

The NBA pre-season has just begun and to help Fantasy GMs size up the talent for the new season "Ready for Liftoff" by The Magazine's Eddie Matz says be bold - build your team around players like the Raptors Jose Calderon. Calderon averaged just 11.2 points and 8.3 assists in just over 30 minutes last season and was one of two players to shoot better than 50% from the field, 40% from distance and 90% from the free throw line. So find out who your "Best Bets" and "Bust Bets" are and so much more in The Mag's "2008 NBA Fantasy Preview."

John Lynch was forced out of the NFL after 15 years as a legendary safety. In Life of Reilly, The Magazine's Rick Reilly writes about Lynch discovering life after football - piano lessons, ice cream, volunteering at his kid's school - when all he really wants to do is play football. Lynch didn't quit football. It quit him.

* Lynch: "I told myself I wouldn't be that guy. You know the guy who just won't take the elegant way out? But guys like me and Brett, we don't want out. So what do you do then?"

Other features in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine include:

MISSING IN ACTION. Why can no one in the NFL tackle anymore? The Magazine's got seven reasons, starting with Bronco's WR Brandon Marshall. Seth Wickersham, David Fleming and Eddie Matz report.

BETWEEN THE LINES. They're barely legible and usually end up in the clubhouse trash. But lineup cards hold the secrets to baseball's postseason success. Steve Wulf reports.

BOXED OUT. When big-time college coaches move on, they leave with golden parachutes. Their assistants aren't so lucky. Seth Wickersham reports.

GHOST'S TOWN. Look out, Bernard Hopkins. Middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik has Youngstown on his side. Tim Keown reports.

***ESPN THE MAGAZINE COVERS AVAILABLE BUSINESSWIRE.COM AND ESPNMEDIAZONE.COM ***

Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.